How to Safely Sprout Seeds

There is no need to dream about growing greens this winter.

They can be growing on your windowsill right now – in the form of sprouts. Anyone that enjoys raw vegetables and salads will enjoy sprouts added to their meals and even kids like to get in on the act and watch them grow.

What do I like about sprouting? Everything!

• Growing your own sprouts is healthy. It’s a great way to add fresh greens to your diet without taking up a lot of space.
• Flexibility. You control the type of seed used and can choose organic if you wish.
• I’m an avid gardener and those long winter months – with no digging outside – can be hard. Sprouting lets me “mini garden” in the winter.
• Sprouting is a great addition to my food storage plan.

Here’s how to safely sprout seeds and make sure that your sprouts are as healthy as possible and reduce the possibility of foodborne illness.

1. Make sure you are purchasing certified seed (and this is!)
2. Heat the seed in a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide for 5 minutes at 140 °F. Place the seed in a small strainer and lower it into the warmed peroxide. Make sure you maintain the temperature for the full 5 minutes.
3. Rinse the seed in running water for 1 minute then place it in a jar with enough water to cover by 1 inch. Skim off the little “floaties”, which are seed coatings and fragments.
4. Follow regular sprouting techniques, using clean, sanitized containers. Use these instructions in the Basic Sprouting Guide by James Talmage Stevens.

Botanical Interests has graciously donated this sprout sampler seed collection. Be sure to take a look at their in depth article tips for disinfecting, growing and harvesting sprouts at home.

Botanical Interests Sprout Sampler Seed Collection

Here’s what 3 lucky people will win

A collection of sprouting seeds for an exciting sample of fresh homegrown sprouts in large packets. It’s a $24 value.

• Sprouts Alfalfa Organic (30 Grams)
• Sprouts Broccoli Organic (20 Grams)
• Sprouts Fenugreek Organic (20 Grams)
• Sprouts Mung Bean Organic (60 Grams)
• Sprouts Radish China Rose Organic (30 Grams)
• Sprouts Sandwich Mix Organic (50 Grams)

This giveaway begins September 28, 2015 at midnight and ends October 4, 2015 at 11:59 PM. It is open to households in the continental USA – Sorry, no Alaska, Hawaii or other territories.

Join me and these 7 awesome gardening ladies in celebrating #OrganicHarvest15 this Sept! @GrowaGoodLife, @homespunseason, @Homestead_Honey @JoybileeFarm @learnyearn @SchneiderPeeps @timbercreekfarm @PreparednessMa

If you love to garden you’ll love the posts we’re putting together for you!

September is National Organic Harvest Month and to help you make the most of your harvests, I’ve teamed up with these other amazing bloggers. Please be sure to check out their tips and more: Rachel from Grow a Good Life – Kathie from Homespun Seasonal Living – Teri from Homestead Honey – Chris from Joybilee Farm – Susan from Learning and Yearning – Shelle from Preparedness Mama – Angi from SchneiderPeeps – Janet from Timber Creek Farm

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